InNOVAtions Science Fair

Milwaukee Academy of Science
February 28th to March 4th 2008


Designed by
S. Wehmeier & R. Schemelin


swehmeier@milwaukeeacademyofscience.org

rschemelin@milwaukeeacademyofscience.org

Introduction | Task | Process | Judging Criteria | Prize Structure| 


Introduction

This will be an exciting challenge for you! You will increase your Science knowledge by inventing something, researching an interesting question, or by conducting an experiment. You will develop organizational skills and be guided to follow procedures that enable you to succeed at the challenge.  The project is a requirement for completion of the curriculum for the third quarter.


The Task

K4 to 4th Grade

  • Class projects or each person does the same or a similar project
  • No research paper required
  • Log book kept by students with teacher assistance
  • Class presentation board(s)


5th Grade

  • Individual projects or teams of 2 or 3 students
  • 5th grade students will design a science game
  • 5th grade students do not need to write a paper
  • Each student must keep a log book to record all activity on the project
  • One presentation board for each project

 

6th Grade

  • Individual projects or teams of 2 or 3 students
  • 6th grade students will create an invention of their own design – a new or modified item, the focus of which may be suggested by the teacher
  • 6th grade students will write a paper at the discretion of their teacher
  • Each student must keep a log book to record all activity on the project
  • One presentation board for each project


7th and 8th Grade 

  • Individual projects or teams of 2 students
  • Two page (500 word, 12 point font, double-spaced) paper required from each student with 3 sources in the bibliography. At least one of the sources in the bibliography must be from a book or magazine.
  • Each student must keep a log book to record all activity on the project
  • One presentation board for each project


The Process

1. Think about what you want to do for your project.  If you are in Grades 5 - 8, you need to decide if you would like to work individually or with a team. 

  • Visit Mrs. Reinhart in the LMC or discuss this with your Science Teacher
  • Search the following Internet Sites for Ideas

 

Grades 1 to 4:

http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/primary.html

 

Grade 5 – Design & Construct a Game

Power Point Game Description

 

http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/games/

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/page/5833.html

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/games/index.html

http://www.gamequarium.com/science.htm

 

Grade 6 – Inventions

www.inventnow.org

http://www.howstuffworks.com/

http://www.spgs.net/projects/inventions/  (ideas)

http://www.eduplace.com/science/invention/resources/real_inventions.html

http://www.creativitypool.com/  (browse the pool)

http://www.tccsa.net/webquest/cole_johnson/  (famous inventors)

http://www.juliantrubin.com/bigten/pathdiscovery.html  (inventors)

 

* All 7th& 8th grade students will go to www.sciencebuddies.org and click on Topic Selection Wizard. Students will answer all questions in an effort to select a suitable topic. (This will take about 45 minutes to complete.)

 

Students should carefully read and consider all of the projects suggested to them. The projects are in line with the student’s responses to the questionnaire. When making selections, students should select projects at an appropriate difficulty level and save them to their h:drive. (Note the project summaries in the upper right corner.)

 

Grade 7 – Research a Scientific Question & Create a Demonstration

http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/handson.html  (demonstrations)

http://www.howstuffworks.com/

 

Ideas for Grades 7 or 8:

http://www.doscience.com/act_archive/pauld/index.html

http://www.nexusresearchgroup.com/fun_science/fun_sci.htm

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/4kids/sciencefair.html

http://www.iit.edu/~smile/fullinde.html

http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/ideas.html

http://www.funsci.com/texts/index_en.htm

http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/ (toys to demonstrate science)

 

8th Grade – Conduct Experiment w/Scientific Method

http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/ExmSciProj.html  (sample)

http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/SOAR/SciProj2002/KiereaM.html (sample)

http://www.geocities.com/floridaluxurycondo/My_dripstone_experiment.html

http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/snackintro.html  (simple project ideas)

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/fair/ideas.htm (plant/animal experiments)

http://www.madsci.org/experiments/  (edible/inedible experiments)

http://www.pfizerfunzone.com/funzone/discovery/experiments/index.html

http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/ (go to “project ideas”)

http://www.need.org/energyfair.php (Intermediate/Secondary)

http://www.funsci.com/texts/index_en.htm

http://doscience.com/act_archive/index.html

http://www.cdli.ca/sciencefairs/intermed.html

2. Pick one of the following project types:

(5th Grade)

Design & construct your own science game.

 

(6th Grade)

Think of a new invention and make a working model.

 

(7th Grade)

Research an interesting question/topic and create a demonstration that will be placed with your project to inform others about what you have learned.

 

(8th Grade)

Research background information and conduct an experiment using the Scientific Method.

 

3.  Print the Project Registration Form and turn it in to your Science teacher.  You must have a parent or guardian sign your form before you turn it in.  Once you turn in your Project Registration Form you cannot change your team or project idea!

4.  Begin your Science Project log book. Your first log book entry should include:  your topic selection, the type of project, and the names of your team members if you are working with a group.

5.  A. For grades 5 & 6, you should research information for your project in early February.
     B.  For grades 7 & 8, your Language Arts Teacher will work with you, starting in January, to select a topic, conduct research on the topic, and write a research paper.

  • Identify questions about your topic
  • Find sources of information on your topic (print and electronic)
  • Develop a bibliography (keep a list of the sources you use in your log book)
  • Put the research information into your own words, do not plagiarize (copy information)
  • Keep a record of your research in your log book

6.  Begin working on your project display board. All display boards should: be attractive, easily understood, neat, and have proper grammar and correct spelling. Your name SHOULD NOT be on the project board.

  • If your project choice is an experiment, your display board should include the steps of the scientific method that you followed.
  • If your project choice is a research paper or demonstration, your display should include all pertinent material.
  • Your name should only be on the cover page of your research paper.  Place your paper on the table in front of your project board; DO NOT attach the paper to your project board.

7.  Final Preparations for your project.  Your teacher may want you to share your projects in Science Class and explain it to your classmates.

8.  Project setup in the gym February 28th, 2008.

9.  Your project will remain on display until March 3rd, 2008 for other classes to view.
 

Thursday February 28th, 2008

Set up Projects in the Gym

Fri. & Sat. Feb. 28th & March 1st, 2008

Judges Only! No Participants Allowed

Sunday March 2nd, 2008

(3:00 - 5:00pm)

Open to the Public

Monday March 3rd, 2008

Viewed by classes - after 2pm
projects should be removed from gym


Judging Criteria
 

5th Grade Game Rubric

6th Grade Invention Project Rubric

7th Grade Research Rubric

8th Grade Experiment Rubric


Prize Structure

K4 to 4th Grade 

$100 awarded to one classroom at each grade level for purchase of science related materials for the classroom.

5th and 6th Grade 

  • One Grand Prize Family Membership at the Milwaukee County Zoo
  • One First prize of $50 for each grade level
  • Two Second prizes of $25 for each grade level
  • Three Third prizes of $10 for each grade level


7th and 8th grade 

  • One Grand Prize Family Membership at the Milwaukee County Zoo
  • One First prize of $100 for each grade level
  • Two Second prizes of $50 for each grade level
  • Three Third prizes of $25 for each grade level

 

Last updated on November 1st, 2005. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

 

 

 

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